View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/where-did-russia-come-from-alex-gendler

Russia is the biggest country in the world, spanning one-eighth of the earth’s landmass. But where did it all begin? Alex Gendler explores the epic history of the Kievan Rus, where characters ranging from Viking raiders and Western crusaders to Byzantine missionaries and Mongol hordes all played a role to create a unique civilization standing at the crossroads of culture and geography.

Lesson by Alex Gendler, animation by Draško Ivezić.